Unified welterweight champion Terence Crawford has continued his hot pursuit of a mega-fight against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez with another call-out, but has also taken a swipe at his fellow American Jermell Charlo in the process.
‘Bud’ Crawford annihilated 147lb rival Errol Spence Jr back in July, in a timeless performance that will be remembered for generations to come, becoming the first ever undisputed four-belt champion of the division.
However, five months later he was stripped of the IBF title, which has encouraged Crawford to consider moving up in weight once again and leaving the welterweight division all together, with an unprecedented three-weight jump to super-middleweight being considered.
Crawford would make history if he were to jump up 21 pounds and defeat Alvarez, who has looked vulnerable in recent fights but would go into the bout as a hot favourite regardless.
The Mexican suffered a second career defeat against Dmitry Bivol in 2022, but has since come out on top in all three of his next outings by decision, claiming wins over Gennadiy Golovkin, John Ryder and Jermell Charlo.
The most recent of those victories saw Canelo look comfortable throughout his showdown with Charlo, who was fighting two weight-classes above his usual super-welterweight limit and posed little threat to the 168lb champion.
On social media, Crawford responded to a fan and took a dig at Charlo’s game-plan.
TC – “Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez is the biggest fight in boxing right now. Like it or not, it’s just facts.
Fan – “Don’t sell out for a cheque.”
TC – “Never that, I’m not Charlo.”
For now at least, Canelo seems set to face Charlo’s twin brother Jermall in May, before a possible contest against either Crawford or David Benavidez in September.